The Honda CR-V Key Fob Tricks You Need to Know

Find your Honda CR-V radio code on a sticker in your glove box, printed in your owner’s manual, or with help from Honda’s online radio code lookup.
Written by Pat Roache
Edited by Jessica Barrett
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The
Honda CR-V
key fob has plenty of hidden tricks including a secret key that allows you to manually operate your car and button functions that allow you to control your SUV’s windows from outside the car.
  • The Honda CR-V key fob has buttons to lock, unlock, and start your car.
  • There is a hidden key inside your CR-V key fob that allows you to unlock the car when the battery is dead.
  • You can use your Honda CR-V key fob to lower and raise your windows from outside your car.

The Honda CR-V key fob basic functions

You can use a keyless Honda CR-V key fob to remote unlock, lock, and start your car:
  • To lock your Honda CR-V: Press the lock button once. 
  • To unlock your Honda CR-V: Press the unlock button once. 
  • To open your trunk: Press the trunk latch button on your key fob once. 
  • To remote-start your Honda CR-V: Press the lock button twice and then hold down the button with the circular arrow for a few seconds. 
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How to find the hidden key in your Honda CR-V key fob

Every Honda CR-V key fob has a hidden metal key built-in that allows you to manually unlock your car when your key fob battery is dead. Here’s how to use it:
  • Press the tiny button on the backside of the fob to release the hidden key.
  • Insert the key on your driver-side door key slot and turn to unlock your car.
  • Click the key back into its compartment on your key fob.

How to start a Honda CR-V when your key fob battery is dead

Recent Honda CR-V models use a push-button ignition system that unlocks when your key fob is near, but you can still get your car to start when your
key fob isn’t working
by following these steps:
  • Hold down the brake pedal.
  • Simultaneously hold the keyfob next to the START/STOP push button.
  • Press the push button twice to start your car.
Alternatively, you can try pressing the key fob directly into the START/STOP button while holding down the brake pedal.

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Other Honda CR-V key fob tricks

You can use your Honda CR-V key fob to control your SUV’s windows from outside your vehicle:
  • To lower the windows in your Honda CR-V: Press the unlock button then press it again and hold it down until the windows start to roll down.
  • To raise the windows in your Honda CR-V: Use the hidden key to manually lock your Honda CR-V, then turn it to the lock position again and hold it there until the windows roll up.
These key fob tricks will also open and close your sunroof if you have one!
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FAQs

Follow these steps to reprogram a Honda CR-V key fob:
1. Get in the driver’s seat.
2. Close all the doors to your vehicle, but don’t lock them.
3. Insert the key in the ignition.
4. Turn the key to the On position, but don’t start the car.
5. Press the Lock button on the fob.
6. Turn off the ignition.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for two more cycles—a total of three rounds—making sure to go through each cycle within five seconds of the previous round.
8. Turn the ignition to On and press the Lock button once more. This time you should hear a locking sound. The sound indicates the remote is in programming mode.
9. To finish the programming sequence, turn off the ignition and take out the key.
10. Test the fob.
Head to the dealership to reprogram your key fob if these steps don’t work.
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